Good Sam - Kentucky State Samboree - 2008
NOTE: Some of the photographs on this page are full size.
Updated: 11/09/08
Mary Lou has often talked about visiting another state's Good Sam Samboree. The Kentucky Samboree was located close to Fred and Becky's and being held the weekend after our family reunion. This was an ideal time and location to attend our first non-Michigan Samboree.
We were a little concerned when we arrived. It was a HOT day and the camp sites were on a large gravel parking lot.
Like in Michigan, the campers were connected to a long water line and a long electric cord.
Unlike Michigan Good Sam, we were all able to run our air conditioner without any power problems.
The Meade County Fairgrounds was a nice location. The buildings provided areas for . . .
The parking lot near the main building was used by three dealers to display about 20 RV models.
We know they sold at least one new RV during the Samboree.
The Kentucky State Director and the staff put a lot of work into the Samboree. Of course, his wife was busy also.
The theme of the weekend was Kentucky Derby Doo, so of course one event was a fancy hat contest.
Of course, there was the introduction of visiting dignitaries. Fred talked to the Director because we notice a larger number of out-of-state attendees. Many of them traveling from Samboree to Samboree. He told Fred that they usually have about 50% of the registrations from outside Kentucky.
The Parade of Flags was an interesting event.
Every night there was some form of entertainment.
Jimmy Lamar (Elvis Impersonator) Meade
County High School Chorus Kentucky
Sassafrass
The main dinner on Saturday night was a fundraiser for the Meade County High School Chorus. The parents prepared a delicious meal and the choir members served. They were also the entertainment on Friday night.
Unofficial entertainment was provided by this guy. He wore a 'different' cap each day.
Like Michigan, Kentucky drew numbers for door prizes. The staff lined up to deliver the prizes to the winners.
When you arrived at Kentucky Samboree you received your number for the Samboree. It was your reservation sequence. The number was written on your 'meal card' and engraved on a 'plastic disk' for all drawings. It was simpler than the separate ticket for everything we are accustomed to at Michigan Samborees.
If you purchased tickets for any of the chapter drawings, this big bobber cooler could have been yours.
Sunday morning we attended the church service. As a incentive to get people to attend this last scheduled event, a number was drawn for a $100 bill.
We used some of our free time to take a drive into a park in Brandenburg along the Ohio River. We waited quite a while for this barge to pass by the park. Indiana is across the river.
Like all good times, when it is over, there is work to be done. Here some of staff are rolling up the electrical cables and water lines.
After most of the people left, we noticed orange cones in two locations. We had to investigate. Birds had established nests in the gravel parking lot. The RVs were parked near the nests and drove the momma bird crazy all weekend. She was probably happy to see the Samboree end.
We had a good time at the Kentucky State Samboree. Many of the differences we experienced were processes that Michigan would do well to consider. The single identifying number and the shorter evening activities were appreciated. The evening activities were shorter due to fewer door prizes and no snacks after the evening program.
Clouds over Ohio . . . . on the way home.